Happy Nails

she spends

a lot of time dealing with

her

fingernails

and

toenails,

going

to a salon

called Happy Nails

along

Rockville Pike.

the bell rings

when she

comes through the door.

they wave

and say

her name.

they are busy

with

clipping, polishing,

painting.

there's a lava rock,

a scrub stick,

lotions

and balms, a strange

dish of

liquids that she sets

her feet in.

she talks to me on the phone

as they work

on her feet,

then sends me a picture,

they look

great in sandals.

she makes

an appointment for me.